Most of us rely heavily on electricity for day-to-day living, so ensuring your new home has a mains connection is vital. Tim Doherty explains the process

Tim Doherty

Regardless of how much renewable tech you’re planning to install, nearly every self-build home needs a mains electricity supply. The UK’s electrical distribution is owned, coordinated and controlled by a series of distribution network operators called DNOs. The national territory is divided into six principal zones, and there are plenty of subdivisions including independent distribution network operators (IDNOs) as well as specialist service companies that focus on business and big electrical users.

Utility companies often get bad press about how complicated their processes are. However, Ofgem (a non-ministerial government department acting as a national regulatory authority) has helped to shape their operating procedures. So all of them, regardless of region, are legally bound to provide new supply services at fair market prices within acceptable timeframes.

There’s still plenty of paperwork involved, but it’s not as complex as you might think it will be; plus, the companies I have spoken to have always been very helpful.

Reusing an existing supply

If you’re planning to knock down and rebuild an existing structure on its original footprint, you’ll need to establish the current electrical supply route and where the existing meter is located. Older properties may well be served by overhead cables from a nearby pole, whereas newer buildings are likely to have underground supplies. Either way, the meter is going to have to be moved while the house is demolished, which will trigger an application to your DNO.